Hum Hain Kuch Khaas

- Posted on: April 05, 2013 | Comments

2 April 2013, the sixth annual World Autism Awareness Day, a global event that goes mostly unnoticed in Pakistan. This year, Kuch Khaas provided a platform for sharing the stories, experiences and needs of the autistic community in the country under the banner “Hum Hain Kuch Khaas”.

“Hum Hain Kuch Khaas” is a networking event held by Kuch Khaas first Tuesday of every month to promote and encourage individuals or organizations striving to make positive change in society. The hope is to connect these philanthropic organizations with other people who share similar ambitions and goals.

The first speaker at the event, Saadia Oberai Khan, a young mother with an autistic son shared her personal story. She explicated basic facts about autism and its affects on an individual, and urged the audience to view autism not as an ‘abnormality’, but an intellectual disability, that can be accepted in society if only we open our arms and accept people who are different from us.

Based on the same theme Mr. Ahmad Hassan, the founder of Hassan Academy, narrated his story of sharing his home and space with special needs children. His hope, to connect the special needs children with other ‘normal children’, so that one day the deaf and the dumb too will be considered “normal’ citizens of this country.

The platform also included the young voices from “You-Help Us”. A young man, in a gray suit related his account of watching his world crumble after the 2005 earthquake, and the need felt by him and his friends for collective action in not only helping others, but also teaching and raising awareness about how members of society can respect one another.

“Hum Hain Kuch Khaas” is a reminder that in a country where so many things are forgotten and so many people ignored, there is a wave of change coming and we, the people of Pakistan, can be part of the change.

As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
January 2021